SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — York
York-Hanover, PA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in York, PA is $36,030 per year, close to the national median of $37,450 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in York, PA is $36,030 per year, close to the national median of $37,450 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $30,710 and $40,840. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $29,320 and the ninetieth at $49,630.
The area has 900 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.9 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $38,870. Of the 390 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 351st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,320 | −21.7% |
| 25th | $30,710 | −18.0% |
| Median (50th) | $36,030 | −3.8% |
| 75th | $40,840 | +9.1% |
| 90th | $49,630 | +32.5% |
| Mean | $37,120 | −0.9% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $38,870 | 9,810 | |
| 2 | Allentown | $38,570 | 1,750 | |
| 3 | State College | $37,100 | 260 | |
| 4 | Lancaster | $37,040 | 1,020 | |
| 5 | Harrisburg | $36,880 | 1,190 | |
| 6 | Reading | $36,590 | 810 | |
| 7 | Lebanon | $36,230 | 290 | |
| 8 | Pittsburgh | $36,100 | 4,890 | |
| 9 | Gettysburg | $35,770 | 170 | |
| 10 | Williamsport | $35,720 | 170 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in York run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $36,030 goes as far as $36,916 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,030as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,916US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,030 a year, 3.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,320 to $49,630 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 900 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $38,870.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in York, PA?
The median annual wage is $36,030, or $17.32 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $37,450, so pay in York, PA is 3.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in York, PA earns more than $49,630 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,320 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Philadelphia, at $38,870 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 900 jobs in this occupation in York, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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